And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

JEREMIAH 40:4KJV
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Jeremiah 40:4 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 40:4 mean?

Jeremiah 40:4 records an official telling Jeremiah that he is being released from captivity and given the freedom to choose where he wants to go—either to Babylon with the official’s protection or to stay anywhere else in the land. Jeremiah is not forced to go into exile but is allowed to decide what seems best to him.

In this verse, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the Babylonian guard, speaks directly to Jeremiah after Jerusalem’s fall. Jeremiah had been held in chains but is now set free and shown unusual respect. The official offers Jeremiah a choice: he can accompany the Babylonians to Babylon, where he will be treated well, or he can remain in Judah or go anywhere else he prefers. This moment highlights Jeremiah’s unique position as a prophet who is trusted by both his own people and the Babylonian authorities.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 40:4

  • "loose" (פָּתַח, pathach): This word means to open or set free, emphasizing that Jeremiah is being released from physical restraints, not just given a verbal pardon.
  • "chains" (אֲזִקִּים, azqqim): This refers to actual shackles or handcuffs, showing that Jeremiah was treated as a prisoner until this point.
  • "good" (טוֹב, tov) and "ill" (רַע, ra‘): These words are used to let Jeremiah judge for himself what is favorable or unfavorable, highlighting the genuine freedom and respect he is being offered.
  • "look well" (שִׂים עַיִן, sim ‘ayin): Literally “set my eye upon you,” meaning the official will personally ensure Jeremiah’s welfare if he chooses to go to Babylon.

Why Jeremiah 40:4 matters

  • Jeremiah 40:4 clarifies that Jeremiah was not forced into exile like many others but was given a real choice, showing the respect he earned even from foreign leaders.
  • The verse highlights the trust and favor Jeremiah had with the Babylonians, which is unusual for a conquered people’s prophet and helps explain his later actions and influence.
  • This moment sets the stage for the next part of Jeremiah’s story, where his freedom of movement and decision-making become important for the people left in Judah.

Where else these words appear

“chains” Hebrew H246 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 40:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.

“seemeth” Hebrew H413 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Exodus 8:25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

“forbear” Hebrew H2308 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
  • Ruth 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
  • Job 16:6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?

“ill” Hebrew H7489 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
  • 2 Kings 21:11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
  • Isaiah 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.